SR Sam Rifaat
Toronto-based · Serving clients worldwide

From idea to execution — I help you build a real, operating business.

I've built and run businesses in more industries than most people work in. Now I help other people start theirs, and skip the expensive mistakes I had to learn the hard way.

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Serving Toronto, Canada, the U.S. & clients worldwide

Sam Rifaat, business coach, consultant and keynote speaker
50+startups guided across
Canada, the U.S. & worldwide
Business Coach & Consultant | Entrepreneur | Keynote Speaker
10+
Industries worked in
15+
Years building brands from scratch
50+
Startups supported
Global
Clients served worldwide

I won't keep you in the dark. I'll tell you what I actually think, give you two or three honest options, and then help you go build the thing.

Sam Rifaat · Business Coach & Consultant | Entrepreneur | Keynote Speaker
About Sam

Real business experience — not just theory

I didn't learn this from a book. I've owned businesses, run them, made money, lost money, and worked out what actually matters between having an idea and opening the doors.

I started off working as a bank teller. From there came personal banking, mortgage analysis, and eventually a director role in the mortgage industry. Then telecom, where I handled customer service, escalations, retention, and business and marketing analysis.

Then I started owning things. Mobile retail, a telecom investment, and a limousine fleet, where I was responsible for dozens of vehicles and drivers, plus insurance, scheduling, bookings, and all the day-to-day problems that come with it.

I built a hospitality and food brand from nothing into a recognized name over eight years, and started laying the groundwork to franchise it. I've also spent years in real estate development: zoning, city approvals, planning, and low-, mid-, and high-rise projects in Ontario.

I also co-founded a daily deal site that grew into one of the largest ethnic deal platforms in Canada. Running it meant negotiating with hundreds of business owners, which is where I learned what a good deal actually looks like.

Along the way I've helped over 50 startups across Canada and the U.S. with planning and execution, most of it for free. That range is what I bring to whatever you're working on.

  • Banking & mortgages — teller to industry director
  • Telecom — service, escalations, retention & investment
  • Retail — mobile phones & accessories
  • Transportation — limousine fleet operations at scale
  • Hospitality & food — built a food brand from scratch over 8 years
  • Daily deals & e-commerce — co-founded one of Canada's largest ethnic deal platforms
  • Deal negotiation — structured offers with hundreds of businesses
  • Real estate development — zoning, approvals & multi-rise planning
  • Franchising — brand & operations for multi-location growth
  • Nonprofit & fundraising — founder-level community work
Why Work With Me

The reasons clients choose Sam

Here is what clients tell me makes the difference.

Real experience

I've owned and run these businesses myself. So when I tell you something will or won't work, it's because I've watched it happen.

Honest & upfront

If there's a problem with your idea, you'll hear it from me early, while it's still cheap to fix.

Options, not pressure

I'll lay out two or three ways forward and tell you what each one really costs. You pick. Then I back your call.

Available when you're stuck

Business problems don't wait for office hours. When something's on fire, I pick up.

Practical & hands-on

I don't advise and disappear. I'll help you write the plan, build the site, find the space, and get the doors open.

Confidence

The word people use most after working with me is confidence. They stop second-guessing every decision.

What I Help With

From your first idea to your next location

Wherever you're starting from, there's a sensible next step. I'll help you find it.

01

Startup Coaching

For people who don't yet know what business to start. We find the right idea for your skills, budget, and goals.

02

Business Launch

You have the idea. I help you build it properly: plan, name, website, social, SEO, funding, and launch.

03

Growth & Location

Moving from home-based or online into a real commercial location, with licensing and setup handled right.

04

Franchise Consulting

Preparing an operating business to multiply into multiple locations or a franchise model.

If you have any questions, kindly email us.

Global Businesses → North America

Expanding into the U.S. or Canada?

If your business is overseas and you want a foothold in the U.S. or Canada, I'll help you build it here from nothing, and stay with you through the whole thing.

Market entry strategy

Understand the market, the regulations, and the right way to establish your business in Canada or the United States.

Set up from scratch

Incorporation direction, licensing, location, suppliers, hiring, branding, and operations — built properly from day one.

Grow & franchise

Once you're established, scale into multiple locations or a franchise model with a clear, realistic roadmap.

Packages & Pricing

Choose the support that fits where you are

Every package gives you clarity, direction, and real-world support. Pricing is a starting point and excludes taxes, government fees, and third-party costs.

SmartStart™
From $997 virtual / $1,497 in-person GTA
For people who want to start a business but don't know where to begin.
  • Business discovery session
  • Review of your background & goals
  • Idea brainstorming
  • Part-time vs full-time direction
  • 2–3 recommended business options
  • Roadmap for next steps
2 calls (60 min) + 1 follow-up · up to 30 days
"I want to start a business, but I don't know what to start."
Get Started
SmartLaunch™
From $4,997
For people who have an idea but need help setting it up properly.
  • Business idea & model review
  • Name & brand direction
  • Domain & social handle guidance
  • Basic business plan outline
  • Website / landing page planning
  • Funding, loan or grant direction
Strategy session (90 min) + 3 calls · up to 60 days
"I know what business I want — I need help setting it up."
Get Started
SmartBuild™
From $9,997
For entrepreneurs who want hands-on support building from idea to launch.
  • Full business plan direction
  • Website / e-commerce coordination
  • SEO-compatible page structure
  • Google indexing guidance
  • Social media setup
  • Launch + 30-day post-launch support
Session (90 min) + 6 calls + 2 GTA meetings · up to 90 days
"Help me build my business from idea to launch."
Get Started
SmartGrowth™
From $14,999
For owners moving from home-based or online into a physical location.
  • Location strategy & readiness review
  • Lease considerations
  • Licensing & permit checklist
  • City approval direction
  • Equipment & supplier guidance
  • Opening marketing plan
Session (2 hrs) + 8 calls + 3 GTA meetings · up to 120 days
"My business is growing — I need help opening a real location."
Get Started
SmartScale™
From $24,999
For established owners expanding into multiple locations or franchising.
  • Franchise readiness review
  • Multi-location growth strategy
  • Brand, operations & training review
  • Franchisee profile & fee model
  • Expansion roadmap
  • Coordination with lawyer / accountant
Session (2 hrs) + 10 calls + 4 meetings · up to 180 days
"I want to grow into multiple locations or franchise."
Get Started
SmartConsult™
FREE
Not sure which package fits? Let's talk it through first — no cost, no obligation.
  • Discuss your goals & where you are now
  • Review your budget & timeline
  • Talk through your industry
  • Pinpoint the package that makes sense for you
30-minute FREE consultation
Book a Free Consultation

For owners, executives, and companies who want ongoing access to advice instead of paying per call.

SmartPartner Lite™
From $997/month
Regular monthly guidance without weekly meetings.
  • 2 coaching calls / month (45 min)
  • Email or WhatsApp support
  • Monthly business action plan
  • Review of current challenges
Enquire
SmartPartner Growth™
From $2,499/month
Weekly access while you build, launch, or grow.
  • 1 call / week (60 min)
  • Priority WhatsApp / email support
  • Monthly strategy review
  • Marketing & growth discussion
Enquire
SmartPartner Executive™
From $4,999/month
Deeper strategy and decision-making support.
  • Weekly call (60–90 min)
  • Priority support for urgent matters
  • Monthly business review
  • Executive decision support
Enquire
SmartPartner Company™
From $7,499+/month
Ongoing advisory for companies & leadership teams.
  • Weekly / bi-weekly advisory meetings
  • Executive-level strategy support
  • Expansion & growth advisory
  • Operations & brand direction
Enquire
Speaking, Workshops & Advisory

Bring Sam to your stage, team, or boardroom

I also speak at events, run workshops for teams and executives, and take on one-off advisory work. The session people keep asking for: how better customer service quietly turns into more revenue.

Keynote Speaking
Bring me in for your event, conference, or team offsite. Real stories from businesses I've actually built and run, not recycled theory.
  • Virtual keynote — from $5,999
  • In-person keynote, GTA — from $9,999
  • Half-day, travel, or larger event — from $14,999
Enquire
Group & Executive Coaching
Workshops, Q&As, and multi-session programs for teams and executives, including how better customer-service standards turn into real revenue.
  • Half-day workshop or Q&A — from $4,999
  • Full-day workshop — from $9,999
  • Multi-session executive / group program — from $24,999
Enquire
Consulting & Advisory
One-off advisory when you want an experienced operator's read on a specific decision, problem, or opportunity.
  • Hourly advisory — from $499/hour
  • Half-day strategy intensive — from $2,999
  • Full-day consulting — from $5,999
Enquire
Experience Across Industries

Guidance grounded in real-world sectors

Decades of hands-on work means I understand the moving parts of very different businesses.

Business CoachConsultantEntrepreneurKeynote SpeakerBankingMortgagesTelecomRetailTransportationHospitality & FoodDaily Deals / E-commerceDeal NegotiationFranchisingReal Estate DevelopmentMarketing & SEONonprofit & FundraisingStartup Development
Community & Giving Back

Business with purpose

Giving back started long before the businesses did, and it still shapes how I work.

Assist Toronto

Community work supporting homeless individuals, single mothers, and people in need of daily necessities.

Help Humanity Foundation

A federally registered foundation working with local partners across several countries — clean water, hunger relief, healthcare, and orphan homes.

Fundraising & Boards

Nonprofit board involvement and fundraising events supporting humanitarian and community causes.

Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about working with Sam.

Who is Sam Rifaat?
Sam Rifaat is a Toronto-based business coach, consultant, entrepreneur and keynote speaker who helps entrepreneurs and business owners start, build, grow, and franchise their businesses. He serves clients in Canada, the United States, and worldwide.
Who does Sam work with?
People who don't yet know what business to start, entrepreneurs who already have an idea, existing owners opening a physical location, and established owners preparing to expand or franchise.
Why choose Sam?
Because he's actually done it. Sam has owned and run businesses in banking, telecom, transportation, hospitality and food, e-commerce, real estate development, and franchising. He'll tell you the truth early, give you two or three real options instead of pushing one, help you actually build the thing, and pick up the phone when something goes wrong at 9pm. Most clients say what they gain is confidence.
How much do the packages cost?
Project packages start at $997 (SmartStart™) and go up to $24,999 (SmartScale™); monthly advisory retainers start at $997/month. Keynote speaking starts at $5,999 and workshops at $4,999. Prices show in Canadian dollars for visitors in Canada and U.S. dollars elsewhere. A 3% fee applies to credit-card payments, and Canadian clients pay applicable HST or PST.
Do you do keynote speaking and executive workshops?
Yes. I speak at events and conferences, run workshops and Q&A sessions for teams and executives, and take on one-off advisory. A popular session covers how better customer-service standards turn into real revenue growth.
Do you help international businesses expand into the U.S. or Canada?
Yes. I help overseas companies enter the U.S. and Canadian markets and build from the ground up — market entry, incorporation and licensing direction, location, branding, operations, and growth.
Is there a refund policy?
All fees are non-refundable. If something needs to be adjusted or clarified, it's handled within your included calls, meetings, and messaging rather than as a refund. Full details are in the Terms of Service.
How do I book a consultation?
Fill out the consultation form on this site or email coach@samrifaat.com. Sam typically responds within 72 hours.
Book a Consultation

Let's take the next step together

Not sure which package fits? Book a consultation and we'll talk through where you are, what you're working with, and what you're trying to build. Then I'll tell you honestly what I think makes sense. If you have any questions, kindly email us.

Based in
Toronto, Canada
Response time
Within 72 hours
Serving
Clients worldwide
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